Lots of Commercial Bids!

[RickR1818]

Well, just wanted to let you guys know I have a large number of bids due in the next few weeks for a property management company. I am excited and a little nervous about winning some of them. This is going to be my second season and it could be a big one. I just wanted to let the other new guys out there know the value of cold calling property management companies. You may find that big hit that needs 40-50 properties bid on. Can't wait to hear everyones advice and criticism.

Thanks,

Rick

[huntlawncare]

Thats how i have got alot of my commercial work just by calling . you have a 50 / 50 chance , what are they going to tell you no like we havent heard that one before . Good Luck with those:walking:

[Icemanku]

How do you know how much to bid the commercial property for?

How does it go down?

You call, say you're bidding and then what?

How do you know what to bid? Why would they choose you if you're not under bidding?

[enviouslawns]

whats the best way to get phone numbers for things like that?

[RickR1818]

whats the best way to get phone numbers for things like that?

I basically did a yellow page search for property management and went down the line and called asking if they were accepting bids for next season. I did this in early fall. I made alot of calls, so dont get discouraged if a few dont respond.

[RickR1818]

How do you know how much to bid the commercial property for?

How does it go down?

You call, say you're bidding and then what?

How do you know what to bid? Why would they choose you if you're not under bidding?

1. Search this on here and you will find plenty of info, I am still learning but it is different for everyone.

2. Call and ask to be put on their bid list or ask when they are taking bids.

3. See #2

4. I dont understand your question. That is the whole point of bidding.

[Icemanku]

Do they tell you the current bid?

[Icemanku]

1. Search this on here and you will find plenty of info, I am still learning but it is different for everyone.

2. Call and ask to be put on their bid list or ask when they are taking bids.

3. See #2

4. I dont understand your question. That is the whole point of bidding.
I really would just like you to walk me through it.

[enviouslawns]

Thanks for the help i just spent an hour in the phone book making calls and the comapanys had anywhere for 3 propertys and one of them had 135 propertys so if i quote everything its about 300 propertys. hopefullly the weathers good next week so i can go out and start quoting

[Icemanku]

Thanks for the help i just spent an hour in the phone book making calls and the comapanys had anywhere for 3 propertys and one of them had 135 propertys so if i quote everything its about 300 propertys. hopefullly the weathers good next week so i can go out and start quoting
Where specifically do you look in the phone book? Property Management?

[Icemanku]

1. Search this on here and you will find plenty of info, I am still learning but it is different for everyone.

2. Call and ask to be put on their bid list or ask when they are taking bids.

3. See #2

4. I dont understand your question. That is the whole point of bidding.

Do they tell you the current bids? Or should you see the property and use a dollar per hour amount to estimate your bid?

If so what dollar amount do you guys use? Keep in mind I'm in Kansas City.

[TheLandyman]

cold calling property management companies works great, i just had a meeting with 12 property managers that handle easily over 500 properties easily altogether. called another one and got a list of 5 properties to go bid and i wont get answers back till febuary but im pretty sure im the only bidder on 4 of them = D

[Lux Lawn]

Good luck withyour bidding, sounds like you have the same plan that I have.

[Icemanku]

cold calling property management companies works great, i just had a meeting with 12 property managers that handle easily over 500 properties easily altogether. called another one and got a list of 5 properties to go bid and i wont get answers back till febuary but im pretty sure im the only bidder on 4 of them = D
how do you go about finding property managers?

[enviouslawns]

i looked in the yellow pages under property managemnet and it told me to look under releastate managment and there was about 40 companys i called and they just told me to send em proof of $1mill insurance, letter of recomondation for my other comm. propertys and a letter of interest.

[huntlawncare]

look in the phone book ride around your town where you know there is commercial property perferably new property they have signs out for lease get the # then start calling i wouldnt say that every one you call is going to let you bid but there might be that one that lets you get your foot in the door

[Runner]

...Aaaaaand back to the issue....lol.....
So let me get this straight...You are taking time to look up nd call these management companies to asl if they are taking bids, right? The, you STILL have to go out and survey th property(s) anyway. Just a note: They ALL accept bids. Unless you get some jerk secretary that has a boyfriend, potential boyfriend, or relative that does the property, or if they just don't know what they are talking about, they WILL tell you that they accept bids. They thrive on this as business to save a buck.
Now, if you want to market some business, you just submit the proposal...but it has t be a formal proposal. Ours are all made out in template form, and it is as easy and fast as filing in the blanks (though it looks better than this....). We have a couple of different letters to apply to different types of properties, as well as for different types of proposals.
Now, when it comes to management groups, don't go buying any equipment on loan based on any of these properties, because they will sell you up the river in a MINUTE to save 20 bucks a month....That's the business that management groups are in.
I can drive down the road, stop in to each business, survey it in a few minutes and take notes, go home and type it up - only needing to know the contact person's name. Our letter(s) explain that we have many different programs and operations available, and that we can devise a program to best suit their needs.
I used to take all sorts of time going out and measuring with a wheel (yes,....even for mowing), and all sorts of other hoopla just to submit a bid. Today, it is down to minutes, and the administrative is cut down significantly, also.
Just as I say,....be careful when dealing with management companies, and apt. complexes....they are the worst. As I say,..there is no loyalty...do a search on this, and look up my name,...you will see alot of good info. Now,...the reason I say use my name in the search (under the "user name") is not for the info that I give in the thread, it is for ALL the info given in the thread by everyone. It is just that I know there are threads that I was involved in that have this info, - so it will simplify the search.:) I hope this helps.

[Icemanku]

The best thing I can think to do is to find the number of minutes it would take me to mow. Also figure the amount of time it would take me to come back and do things other that turf, like mulching, trimming bushes/trees. Then average that out into my normal mow minutes and come up with a percentage of profit I would make after I've paid myself, paid for equipment use, gas and other expenses.

Does that sound about right?

Should I be chewing gum?:confused:

[NSLC]

So far I've found the information in this thread very useful. Temper tantrums aside. I didn't even know that you could just cold call companies and real estate management agencies. And I didn't know that you needed the 1 mill insurance policy and a reference from another commercial property in order to secure a bid.

And scrolling through all the threads would take days that I don't have. It's just plain easier for me as a new member to ask all of you for basic information.

[jphag]

Well, just wanted to let you guys know I have a large number of bids due in the next few weeks for a property management company. I am excited and a little nervous about winning some of them. This is going to be my second season and it could be a big one. I just wanted to let the other new guys out there know the value of cold calling property management companies. You may find that big hit that needs 40-50 properties bid on. Can't wait to hear everyones advice and criticism.

Thanks,

Rick


Cold calling works great. You just have to not be afraid to do it.